Final answer:
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as β-carotene, help prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals, which are produced by both environmental factors and normal bodily processes. Phytonutrients also play an important role in protecting against oxidative stress. so, option 1 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antioxidants are crucial for maintaining health by preventing oxidative stress in our bodies, which can be caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons that can damage cells, and they are formed through both environmental factors and normal bodily processes. Vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the provitamin β-carotene, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body, are all effective antioxidants. They contribute to the defense system by neutralizing free radicals and reducing the damage they cause. For instance, vitamin E acts as a scavenger of harmful by-products of metabolism, while vitamin C can regenerate vitamin E, further enhancing its antioxidant effect.
Free radicals can indeed arise from external sources like sunlight, cigarette smoke, and environmental pollution. However, these reactive molecules are also naturally produced during physiological processes, such as the metabolic reactions involving oxygen. Nevertheless, the body has mechanisms to neutralize these free radicals, like the antioxidants found within fruits and vegetables.
Additional compounds, known as phytonutrients, may offer health benefits similar to antioxidants and contribute to the overall protection against oxidative damage. Thus, a balanced diet rich in these nutrients is important for maintaining cellular health and preventing disease.